DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (May 24, 2025)
The 19th Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) concluded Saturday in Dar es Salaam with renewed calls for unity and integration. However, the gathering also highlighted significant financial challenges, particularly affecting the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which has managed only one plenary session this year due to budget constraints.
The meeting brought together Speakers and Deputy Speakers from EAC Partner States and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration among EAC Partner States’ parliaments and EALA, addressing challenges in the EAC integration process, and enhancing the role of partner states’ parliaments in advancing the EAC agenda.
Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly and host of this year’s meeting, emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity in advancing the EAC integration agenda. She highlighted the need for EAC Partner States to embrace digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) as core pillars of the region’s development strategy.
EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana acknowledged the legislative strides made by the regional assembly but warned that delays in member state contributions continue to hamper progress. He noted that financial constraints have forced EALA to rationalize its budget and prioritize essential activities.
The financial challenges have had tangible impacts. EALA has had to defer its sessions indefinitely due to a lack of funds, hindering its legislative and oversight duties. According to EALA data, as of November 8, 2024, partner states owed $76,222,264 in outstanding remittances, with the biggest defaulter being the Democratic Republic of Congo, owing $20,711,995. Only Kenya was fully paid up at that time.
The EAC’s total budget for the 2024/2025 financial year stands at $112,984,442, with $67,785,519 (61 percent) expected from Partner States’ contributions and other internal revenues. However, delays in remittances have led to underfunding, affecting the operations of EALA and other EAC organs.
Kenya’s delegation used the platform to push for regional cooperation on climate resilience and geopolitical strategy. Amason Kingi, Speaker of Kenya’s Senate, called on parliaments to collaborate on green energy adoption and regional security.
The session also marked Somalia’s first appearance at the Bureau meeting. Representing the Federal Parliament, Abdullahi Omar Abshirrow underscored Somalia’s reform efforts and financial contributions, with $8 million already pledged to the EAC’s 2024–2025 budget.
Burundi was notably absent from the 19th Bureau of Speakers meeting of the East African Community (EAC) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. While the country sent a message of solidarity, no official representative from the Burundian parliament attended the session.
The Bureau confirmed that the 15th edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games will be held in Bujumbura, Burundi, later this year. The East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) was approved to be headquartered alongside EALA to streamline coordination.
Despite affirmations of unity, regional observers note that financial constraints and participation gaps remain evident. The next Bureau of Speakers meeting is scheduled for November 2025 in Bujumbura, where member states will review progress on the EAC’s integration agenda.
